Time for a Change . . . .

It's the first of the month, time to swap out the quilt I have hanging in my living room. With it being summer, I'm really being diligent about not having one quilt hang up there too long, I'm worried about sun damage, wouldn't that be heart breaking, to ruin a quilt like that! Other than the climbing that ladder thing, I'm glad I have an excuse to get another quilt out.

It's Route 44, you've not seen this quilt since it got back from the quilter!

I think it's a good late summer, early fall quilt to have out.

The red dot fabric reminds me of summer fairs and the greens and golds are a nice transition to fall. I'm so happy to finally have a polkadot quilt in my collection.

The fabric is Saltbox Harvest by Deb Strain for Moda.

Connie at Quilts Plus did a wonderful job quilting this top. Each small square in each block has a different design.

See the little hearts?

I also like that "bow tie" looking design in the red polkadot corner triangles.

The designs vary, leafy stems, like in these blocks, to flowers, geometric designs, I don't know how Connie came up with 49 different patterns.

The inner border looks great too.

What to do with a plain outer border, how about jazzing it up with a quilting design that looks like a piano key border?

Here's the back, the penny rug print that was my original choice for the front of the quilt, until I decided it was too busy, is now on the back.

I made this quilt last fall will attending a class taught by Carrie Nelson, the designer of this pattern, Route 44.

Over the weekend, when I was helping someone track down the Miss Rosie pattern American Pie, the pattern I used for the border on my A la Mode quilt, I ran across some reviews on Amazon. Several reviewers left comments on the large number of pieces in so many of Carrie's patterns. Something I had never thought about. But looking at Route 44, I would have to say it's the pieces that make it so stunning, and number of pieces does not translate to hard. This quilt was pure joy to make. It's one of my favorites.

For more information on Route 44, select Lifetime Quilt # 61. (or click here)

I'm still working on my Red and White Tribute Quilt, I didn't make my end of July deadline, but the finish line is in sight, stop back by for updates.

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Route 44

On the back of the Route 44 pattern by Carrie Nelson, she says, "Route 44? It's not a road but it will sure transport you to happiness."

I could not agree more.

My road is over, but I loved every minute of the journey.

I started planning this project as soon as I saw that Carrie Nelson was teaching a class sponsored by the Quilter's General Store in Rockford, Illinois, back in January!! Now, 10 months later, the journey is over.

I'm so happy I have such a lovely quilt to remember my trip and happy that I picked Saltbox Harvest by Deb Strain for Moda for my fabric. I happily cut, pieced and sewed this quilt top. It went together like a dream. Some projects are just like that, all fun and no work!!

Even the border was fun,

but a lot of Carrie's patterns are like that, why stop having fun just because the center of the quilt is finished, why not go for just a little more fun in the border.

So after you attach the 2 inch containment border, Carrie throws in some eye candy before adding the outer border. The eye candy is a 1 1/2 inch scrappy pieced strip, surrounded on each side by a 1/2 inch strip of background fabric. I think this small little detail adds so much charm to the quilt.

In class, Carrie suggested sewing the three pieces of that middle eye candy border together, then attaching that unit to the containment border, leaving some extra fabric on each end, then connecting all the ends once all 4 side units have been added. That's what I did, and it worked out great. Since I don't quilt my tops, I'm just not that experienced at working with bulk, it was nice to only go around the containment border once with the middle border unit, then one last time with the outer border.

This is my lifetime quilt #61.

It has approximately 1,464 pieces.

And finished at 78" x 78"

Carrie named this pattern for Camille Roskelly, the designer of the Simple Abundance fabric Carrie used on her project,

the quilt that's on the pattern cover. Camille loves Route 44 Dr. Peppers available at Sonic Drive Ins. I didn't use Simple Abundance for my top, or drink any Dr. Pepper while making this quilt, so my quilt probably needs a different name. But after calling it Route 44 for 10 months, I'm not sure calling it something else is possible.

Lisa/Stashmaster and Nicole/Sisters Choice, fellow bloggers who I met for the first time while attending this class, are also working away on their Route 44 projects. They chose different fabric, so be sure to check out their blogs for their finished quilts, coming soon I'm sure.

I'm also hoping to hear from my fellow Route 44 classmates, and hoping I get to see their finished projects as well. One quilter was using the William Morris Workshop family of fabrics, I would love to see that one all done.

This pattern is a great stash buster, all you need is 3 yards of primary fabric (my red dot fabric) then pull colors from the primary fabric from your stash for the 4 patches, the more fabric the better. I think going scrappy with the background fabric would look great too!

What are you waiting for, here's your route to happiness.....

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A Little Now, A Little Later . . . .

I connected all the blocks for Route 44.

and

added the first border fabric.

What a difference one little two inch strip of fabric can make!!

Next up, 4 more rows of borders.......It should be interesting, there are two one inch border strips involved!

The other day, I was "talking" to Nicole about working on Belle Meade. This is a Bonnie Blue Quilts pattern. Bonnie Blue had this pattern in a kit using Rouenneries by French General at the Chicago Quilt Show this spring. I had the Rouenneries fabric, so I grabbed the pattern.

We decided to get started on this project right after the holidays, if you would like to join in on the fun, you have plenty of time to get your fabric and pattern.

This pattern requires a few 2 1/2" hsts, 656 to be exact.....doesn't that sound horrible, and boring....and a lot of work!

We decided doing a few everyday would maybe alleviate some of the pain. So the first thing, each day that I sit down at my sewing machine, I'm starting with of few hsts.

I'm a "make the squares bigger, draw the line, and square up" kind of girl when it comes to my hsts. I thought I would give a couple of new methods a shot, since I would be doing just a few each day.

First up Thangles,

the process is easy enough, and the hsts, no squaring up required......but tearing off the paper is a nuisance.

Next I tried the Easy Angle,

quick, easy, no squaring up and best of all,

when they're done they're done, no paper to tear off.

So here's my Belle Meade hst basket

32 down, 624 more to go!!!

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Day 3 - Virtual Quilt Retreat

All Done!!

My blocks and the Quilting Retreat!!

YEAH! I was able to wrap up all the piecing on my Route 44 blocks today.

I only had to resew two, not too bad. I'm happy with how they went together and how they look on my design wall.

I'll give my design wall a rest for tonight,

then check out my placement again tomorrow before I start connecting all the blocks.

Once I get the blocks all connected, I still have a little work ahead of me, the border on the quilt really sets it off, I'm eager to get going on it.

I had these blocks leftover.

Thanks Susan for hosting the Quilting Retreat. I plan to get out and see what everyone else has been doing in their sewing rooms.

Afternoon Update

I'm making great progress, the blocks are cooperating!!

So, fewer of these on my sewing table . . .

means more of these on my design wall!!

I'm determined to get them all done TODAY!..It may call for drastic measures, like asking my husband to pick up pizza for dinner!!

Noon Update

I'm making progress,

and so far, I have only had to unsew/resew one block!

It's been a peaceful and relaxing morning.

I'm enjoying making each block, the color combinations are really speaking to me,

the next block, so far,

always seems to be my favorite one.

Today is the official last day of the Virtual Quilt Retreat.....

One last sock fashion show,

it was hard to decide what pair to wear today, I didn't realize how many pairs of Halloween socks I owned!

I only ate two pieces of my chocolate bar yesterday,

so I've got plenty to get me through today.

Just in case you're stopping by for the first time,

here's what I'm currently working on,

Route 44 from Miss Rosie's Quilt Company ,designed by Carrie Nelson.

I started this project while attending one of Carrie's classes in Rockford, IL.

I'm loving this pattern and my fabric choices, which has made my time in my sewing room fly by.

So today's goal, the last day of my virtual quilting retreat, sponsored by Susan,

is to fill my design wall

with these.

24 more to go!

I think it's a pretty optimistic goal, 4 points to line up on each block, it may take some time and patience.

I have two hard fast rules for these blocks, no cut off points and no really cockeyed points. I can live with a little more or a little less fabric above the point, and a little off center....the definition of "little" may change as the day progresses.

I followed Carrie's directions to the letter when trimming up my blocks, and took my time to be sure I left 1/4" of background fabric beside each point. I hope the time I spent trimming yesterday, saves me some time today, I don't expect any missing points.

Here's how I piece my blocks to give myself the best chance of success.

First, I take a needle that I use in my sewing machine, nice and fat, and I push it through the front point on one block.

That allows a little daylight to shine through.

Then I push one regular pin through that hole, on the backside of the fabric.

Then through the point on the front side of the other block.

Almost there, then I move my pin up, down, all around, until it is straight.

I leave that pin in place and then carefully pin the two pieces together and continue pinning to the edges.

Then I hold my mouth just so, cross my toes, and slide the unit through the machine.

So here's what I ended up with,

not perfect,

but one I can live with!

Here's to hoping I have a day with little resewing!!

I'll post an update around lunch time.

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Day 2 - Virtual Quilt Retreat

End of Day Two

My afternoon wasn't as productive as I had hoped....

I've decided I need to make one block at a time, to make sure I don't have any like fabrics side by side. I'm funny that way.

But I've got my options spread out and ready to go for tomorrow.

Mid-Afternoon Update

All trimmed.....

now to make some blocks.....finally!

Midday Update

Well the fun just continues at my house, hope the same can be said for you!

It took me a little longer than I expected to sew on the setting triangles. Yesterday's setting triangles zipped right through the machine, no pinning required. For some reason, these smaller 4 patches required a little more tender loving care. If I didn't pin down those corners, they were stretching every way but the right way.

But they're all pieced

and pressed...woo hoo!!

Now for the trimming....

The pattern directions say to line up the points of the four patches and the 2 3/8" line on your ruler and to make sure there's at least 1/4 of an inch of the background fabric above the point before cutting.

I marked my ruler so I wouldn't make any mistakes. Somewhere along the way I must have cut something wrong, I've gone through all my background fabric and have only three extra 4 patch units!!!

While I was sewing this morning, the movie, The Blindside was on HBO, I had seen that movie once before, but had forgotten, what a wonderful story, what wonderful people.

Beginning of Day Report

I had the nicest day yesterday, snacking, sewing, blogging....what could be better?

How about ANOTHER day of snacking, sewing and blogging!!

Today is Day Two of Susan's Virtual Quilt Retreat.

Yesterday, Cooper had daycare, which was great for two reasons; I had a pretty interruption free day, with Cooper otherwise occupied, plus since I was out and about, I nabbed some Starbucks.

Today I'm brewing my own coffee,

but I've got

fresh socks to go with my same sewing shoes.

What's scarier, the ghost socks, or the fact that I have TWO pairs of pink Halloween socks?

Today's treat is hard to beat...

If you're a chocolate lover, and have not tried this chocolate bar, you're missing out! The chocolate is amazing but it's that little touch of sea salt that really drives my taste buds wild!

It gets even better, this 100 gram bar of silky smooth chocolatey goodness..this WHOLE bar is LESS than HALF the calories of yesterday's Starbucks pumpkin scone. Plus, I bet this bar lasts me all day!

That scone was yummy, but gone by 11.

Today's focus continues to be my Route 44 project that I started while attending class with Carrie herself in Rockford.

I feel great about finishing all my Block "B" blocks yesterday, so today, is Block "A" Day!

I need 100 of these

to make 25 of these.

I sewed these while at class.

Ready, set, GO....

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